What Degas Saw
Category: Books,Children's Books,Arts, Music & Photography
What Degas Saw Details
From School Library Journal K-Gr 3—Edgar Degas (1834–1917) was born, raised, and educated in Paris and as an artist exhibited there as well. The city and its bustling avenues, milliner shops and laundries, Opera House, and other sites were his inspiration and the people who lived and worked there, his subjects. Friedman's simple text relates how Degas, one of the founding members of impressionism, liked to travel about the city in a cape and top hat, with a cane in hand, observing and translating what he saw into art. The brief text also works in a few personal details, such as the location of his studio, and describes the man's early artistic style. Pieropan's expansive prints, which illustrate the story, often adopt the shallow, stagelike settings and the unusual perspectives of Degas's art. They alternate with full-page, quality reproductions of the master's work in several mediums, from his monotypes of men and women living and working in Paris to pastels of ballerinas—onstage and offstage. An author's note provides additional biographical information on the artist and details on the reproductions. VERDICT Libraries—both close to and far from museums—in need of introductions to art and artists will want to consider this beautifully illustrated volume.—Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal Read more Review "Friedman's text, artful and elegant, is perfectly choreographed with the artwork and design. The author finds just the right words for Degas's impulse to 'try to describe the city's push and pull, its run and jump, its lean and stretch.' A work of art." (Shelf Awareness)"An interesting view into the relationship between an artist and his daily life, and it will be useful as a preparation for a museum trip." (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books) Read more About the Author Samantha Friedman is an assistant curator in the Department of Drawings and Prints at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. She is the author of Matisse’s Garden, among other books on modern art. She lives Brooklyn. Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas (1834–1917) was a painter, draftsman, printmaker, and sculptor celebrated for his scenes of modern life. Read more
Reviews
I bought this for my 7 year old BEFORE we went to the show at MOMA and she loved reading the book and it made her genuinely excited to go to the museum (she is a bit reluctant to go to museums). It's well written and well illustrated and brings Degas to life for a new generation of enthusiasts.